Stepping Out

Back Home in L.A. with New Guy Vince Vaughn, a Joyful Jennifer Aniston Jumps Back into the Hollywood Scene

Walking onstage to loud cheers at Oct. 24's Hollywood Film Festival Awards, Jennifer Aniston gave the tall, dark-haired man beside her a big hug and a kiss. Grinning, she told the crowd: "I like to think of myself as his Mrs. Robinson." Well, here's to you, Mrs. Robinson. Sure, that was her Good Girl costar Jake Gyllenhaal, 24—not her new real-life leading man Vince Vaughn, 35—getting the onstage smooch. But as she and Vaughn headed back to her home turf after going public with their romance in Chicago two weeks ago, Aniston showed a giddy glow as she leaped back into the social scene. At Oct. 20's Couture Cares fashion show benefiting the Revlon/UCLA Breast Center, "Jennifer was in the greatest mood," says a fellow guest. "She just seemed to be really happy—she was all smiles."

No Vince there either, but the previous night, he and Aniston, 36, quietly slipped into a reopening party for the Friars of Beverly Hills, where his pal Jon Favreau was celebrating his 39th birthday. Both in jeans, Vaughn wrapped his arms around Aniston's waist as they chatted with friends. (Afterward, the two were spotted back at Vaughn's hotel.) Their happiness is much deserved, says Favreau: "They're both great people."